The goal of the spiritual accompaniment course is to implement the vision of Pope Francis in Evangelii Gaudium that,

“the Church will have to initiate everyone—priests, religious and laity—into this ‘art of accompaniment’” (169)…recognizing that “today more than ever we need men and women who, on the basis of their experience of accompanying others, are familiar with processes which call for prudence, understanding, patience and docility to the Spirit, so that they can protect the sheep from wolves who would scatter the flock. We need to practice the art of listening, which is more than simply hearing. Listening, in communication, is an openness of heart which makes possible that closeness without which genuine spiritual encounter cannot occur.” (171)

*Friday, July 17 is available as a one-day option for those who completed the 2019 course only. The Friday talks are new for 2020. *If social distancing limits our ability to offer the course in-person, the full course will still be offered on the same dates through video conferencing.

To apply for the course please complete the form below, and take time to thoroughly answer the questions. If you have any questions, please contact Melanie White in the Office of Priest Vocations at whitem@adw.org or 202-499-1211.

The Spiritual Accompaniment Course is co-hosted by the Office of Campus and Young Adult Ministry and the Office of Priest Vocations.

Registration fees are waived for priests and religious brothers and sisters.

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Last name
REQUIREDPlease fill out this field.Please enter valid data.

First name
REQUIREDPlease fill out this field.Please enter valid data.

Name of university/campus (if parish is part of a university)
REQUIREDPlease fill out this field.Please enter valid data.

Do you have any food allergies or require special accommodations?
REQUIREDYesNoPlease fill out this field.

If yes, please explain.

I am a
REQUIREDPriestReligious (Brother or Sister)Please fill out this field.

Describe your own experience in receiving spiritual accompaniment/spiritual direction. How has this been a support in your own Christian journey? Do you currently receive spiritual direction? If so, who is your spiritual director?
REQUIREDPlease fill out this field.

Describe the type of spiritual accompaniment/direction you currently give on a regular basis, if you do so (i.e., university students, high-school students, adults at your parish).
REQUIREDPlease fill out this field.

What do you hope to learn from this course? How do you hope to apply it to your ministry?
REQUIREDPlease fill out this field.

What challenges do you face regularly in your work of spiritual accompaniment? What topics do you hope will be addressed in this course?
REQUIREDPlease fill out this field.